Police charge 19-year-old over horror crash that killed woman and her daughter’s unborn baby

By ANTOINETTE MILIENOS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 22:24 BST, 24 June 2025 | Updated: 01:02 BST, 25 June 2025

Police have charged an unlicensed 19-year-old man over a head-on crash that killed a woman and seriously injured another, causing her to lose her unborn child. 

The 19-year-old was behind the wheel of a Holden Commodore when it collided head-on with a Hyundai sedan on Newcastle Road at North Lambton, in Newcastle, at about 2.40am on Sunday.  

The 55-year-old female passenger in the Hyundai, who was on holiday from India, died at the scene. 

Her pregnant 28-year-old daughter, who was driving the Hyundai, was rushed to John Hunter Hospital where she remains in a serious condition. 

Police were later informed that she was 25 weeks pregnant and had lost her unborn child due to the crash. 

The two passengers in the back seat of the Commodore – girls aged 15 and 17 – were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital where they remain in serious conditions. 

Police arrested a 19-year-old man (pictured) over the horror crash that killed a woman and her daughter’s unborn baby 

The Holden Commodore crashed head-on with a Hyundai sedan, killing a 55-year-old woman and the unborn child of her 28-year-old daughter

The driver and the front-seat passenger of the Holden Commodore allegedly fled the scene before police arrived. 

Police Strike Force Carrarang, along with officers from Operation UTAH, arrested the 19-year-old driver at a home in Mayfield, north-west of Newcastle, on Tuesday.  

He was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with seven driving offences. 

The charges include three counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct – in charge of motor vehicle, one count each of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death – escaping pursuit, aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – escaping pursuit, using a vehicle displaying misleading number plates and never licensed person driving a vehicle on a road.

The teenager, from Wallsend in Newcastle’s west, was refused bail and scheduled to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday. 

A highway patrol officer first spotted the Holden Commodore with fake number plates on Newcastle Road in Wallsend.

The officer stopped behind the car, which was carrying three other teenagers, at a traffic light before sounding the siren. 

The Holden Commodore sped away on the wrong side of the road, with police deciding not to pursue due to safety concerns.  

He was charged with seven offences including three counts of cause bodily harm by misconduct – in charge of motor vehicle

Pictures from the scene of the crash showed the Holden Commodore with red P-plates displayed on the back of the car (pictured) 

A short time later, a second police vehicle spotted the Commodore in North Lambton, allegedly crossing onto the wrong side of the road. 

While speeding on the wrong side of the road, the Holden Commodore then crashed  head-on with the Hyundai sedan travelling in the opposite direction. 

Police allege the Holden Commodore was not stolen and was registered to the passenger who fled the scene with the driver. 

It’s understood the 19-year-old driver is known to police.  

Pictures from the scene of the crash showed the Holden Commodore with red P-plates displayed on the back of the car.  

‘What’s occurred is truly tragic, two women driving around innocently. One has lost her life, one has lost her unborn child,’ Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Dunstan said. 

The conduct of police in the chase will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). 

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Police charge 19-year-old over horror crash that killed woman and her daughter’s unborn baby

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